Thursday, December 8, 2011

If you dread winter's dearth of racing action, then kick off the holiday season strapped in behind the wheel with some of the latest in-home racing software and equipment. Of course, while virtual competition is less expensive than the real thing, the dollars still add up quickly. But you're in luck. We have some games and equipment to give away to help boost your adrenaline without emptying your wallet. See "But Wait, There's More . . ." on page 88 for details.

THRUSTMASTER FERRARI F1 WHEEL

-- Formula One anoraks, your day has arrived. Thrustmaster recently launched this life-size replica of the Ferrari F150 Italia F1 car's steering wheel. It is an add-on accessory for the company's top-line T500 RS wheel-and-pedal set. Designed first and foremost for use with the F1 2011 racing game (see the review on the next page), the Ferrari wheel is covered in numerous programmable buttons and switches, just like those found on its genuine counterpart--although it's worth noting that the dial emblazoned with the Prancing Horse and the other instruments surrounding it are only cosmetic and are nonfunctional. We also wish that the metal shift paddles were independent of each other rather than made in one piece. When you pull the right-side paddle toward yourself to upshift, you'll notice immediately that the paddle on the left side moves away from you, placing distracting pressure on the fingers of your left hand. Working LED lights to indicate the revs and the gears would go a long way, too, especially considering the high price charged for the complete T500 RS setup. But if you live, breathe and game Formula One, this is absolutely made for you.

-- Bob Earl knows how to drive. For proof, see his 30- year racing r%sum%, which includes 24 career wins in IMSA's Camel GT Series, two victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona and one in the 12 Hours of Sebring, plus other highlights--such as being the only American ever to win the prestigious Macau Grand Prix.

These days, Earl enjoys simulated racing so much that he continues to refine and sell his Virtual Racing Chassis, our gaming chair of choice. A comfortable, adjustable, full-fledged car eat and revised pedal plate are now standard, and while the VRC is not as flashy as some competitors', it's not as pricey. Its steel frame adjusts easily to seat kids or adults up to six feet, six inches tall and provides an authentic driving position that lets you race comfortably. The new VRC MKII is a must-have accessory. Attach your wheel-andpedal kit, and you'll swear you're driving the real thing.

$350; available from www.bobearlracing.com.

FANATEC CSR WHEEL & CSR ELITE PEDALS

--Top-notch wheel-andpedal sets are expensive, but as several of our staffers discovered recently, once you take this big step closer to realism, there is no return.

Fanatec knocked it out of the park with its new CSR wheel and CSR Elite pedals, the official set of Forza 4. The wheel provides smooth, realistic feel and force feedback and adjustments to sensitivity, feedback, turning angle and vibration. You have to find new settings when switching to a brand-new game, but the outcome is worth the tinkering.

The wheel's construction impressed us. It feels great, with Alcantara in the right places and a digital display. Buttons are easy to reach and use, and the aluminum shift paddles' audible click--like that in real-life supercars--adds to your experience.

Perhaps even more desirable is Fanatec's CSR Elite pedal set. The aluminum unit has fully adjustable spring tensions, pedal positions and angles. A "load cell" for the brake bases braking performance on pedal pressure rather than pedal travel. That should guarantee that you shave chunks from your lap times.

F1 2011 --Codemasters' Formula 1 2010 was an Autoweek staff favorite. F1 2011 blows it out of the water with a better handling model and F1's latest tech, including KERS, DRS and Pirelli tires. Managing those variables creates an intense experience, and dynamic weather effects set the genre's standard. The safety car is a nice touch, too. F1 2011 is not perfect, with some programming glitches, and the PlayStation 3 version's graphics take a noticeable step back from 2010. Still, it's the most authentic, complete, challenging and flatout fun racing experience for a home console. With 24-car grids, 16 human players able to race online (watch out for the intentional rammers) and a co-op mode, you can challenge friends. F1 2011 also gives a great feel for each GP circuit.

$60; PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Nintendo 3DS

FORZA MOTORSPORT 4 --Turn 10 Studios has raised the bar with the excellent Forza Motorsport 4. The newest installment in the Gran Turismo-like Forza chain has many of the same circuits and cars as before, but the graphics and the play are noticeably improved. In World Tour mode--unlike in Forza 3--you don't choose what tracks to drive. The game chooses the circuit, and you pick one of three types of races. You select your car each time you advance to a higher level; you don't have to spend credits to "buy" a car and stay competitive as speed increases. The game has more responsive cars, better feedback through the controller or wheel and more aggressive computer-controlled drivers. It caters to all skill levels with optional driver aids. You can go head-to-head with up to 15 online opponents. This disc belongs in any gamer's library for the multiplayer action alone.

If you dread winter's dearth of racing action, then kick off the holiday season strapped in behind the wheel with some of the latest in-home racing software and equipment. Of course, while virtual competition is less expensive than the real thing, the dollars still add up quickly. But you're in luck. We have some games and equipment to give away to help boost your adrenaline without emptying your wallet. See "But Wait, There's More . . ." on page 88 for details.

THRUSTMASTER FERRARI F1 WHEEL

-- Formula One anoraks, your day has arrived. Thrustmaster recently launched this life-size replica of the Ferrari F150 Italia F1 car's steering wheel. It is an add-on accessory for the company's top-line T500 RS wheel-and-pedal set. Designed first and foremost for use with the F1 2011 racing game (see the review on the next page), the Ferrari wheel is covered in numerous programmable buttons and switches, just like those found on its genuine counterpart--although it's worth noting that the dial emblazoned with the Prancing Horse and the other instruments surrounding it are only cosmetic and are nonfunctional. We also wish that the metal shift paddles were independent of each other rather than made in one piece. When you pull the right-side paddle toward yourself to upshift, you'll notice immediately that the paddle on the left side moves away from you, placing distracting pressure on the fingers of your left hand. Working LED lights to indicate the revs and the gears would go a long way, too, especially considering the high price charged for the complete T500 RS setup. But if you live, breathe and game Formula One, this is absolutely made for you.

-- Bob Earl knows how to drive. For proof, see his 30- year racing r%sum%, which includes 24 career wins in IMSA's Camel GT Series, two victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona and one in the 12 Hours of Sebring, plus other highlights--such as being the only American ever to win the prestigious Macau Grand Prix.

These days, Earl enjoys simulated racing so much that he continues to refine and sell his Virtual Racing Chassis, our gaming chair of choice. A comfortable, adjustable, full-fledged car eat and revised pedal plate are now standard, and while the VRC is not as flashy as some competitors', it's not as pricey. Its steel frame adjusts easily to seat kids or adults up to six feet, six inches tall and provides an authentic driving position that lets you race comfortably. The new VRC MKII is a must-have accessory. Attach your wheel-andpedal kit, and you'll swear you're driving the real thing.

$350; available from www.bobearlracing.com.

FANATEC CSR WHEEL & CSR ELITE PEDALS

--Top-notch wheel-andpedal sets are expensive, but as several of our staffers discovered recently, once you take this big step closer to realism, there is no return.

Fanatec knocked it out of the park with its new CSR wheel and CSR Elite pedals, the official set of Forza 4. The wheel provides smooth, realistic feel and force feedback and adjustments to sensitivity, feedback, turning angle and vibration. You have to find new settings when switching to a brand-new game, but the outcome is worth the tinkering.

The wheel's construction impressed us. It feels great, with Alcantara in the right places and a digital display. Buttons are easy to reach and use, and the aluminum shift paddles' audible click--like that in real-life supercars--adds to your experience.

Perhaps even more desirable is Fanatec's CSR Elite pedal set. The aluminum unit has fully adjustable spring tensions, pedal positions and angles. A "load cell" for the brake bases braking performance on pedal pressure rather than pedal travel. That should guarantee that you shave chunks from your lap times.

F1 2011 --Codemasters' Formula 1 2010 was an Autoweek staff favorite. F1 2011 blows it out of the water with a better handling model and F1's latest tech, including KERS, DRS and Pirelli tires. Managing those variables creates an intense experience, and dynamic weather effects set the genre's standard. The safety car is a nice touch, too. F1 2011 is not perfect, with some programming glitches, and the PlayStation 3 version's graphics take a noticeable step back from 2010. Still, it's the most authentic, complete, challenging and flatout fun racing experience for a home console. With 24-car grids, 16 human players able to race online (watch out for the intentional rammers) and a co-op mode, you can challenge friends. F1 2011 also gives a great feel for each GP circuit.

$60; PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Nintendo 3DS

FORZA MOTORSPORT 4 --Turn 10 Studios has raised the bar with the excellent Forza Motorsport 4. The newest installment in the Gran Turismo-like Forza chain has many of the same circuits and cars as before, but the graphics and the play are noticeably improved. In World Tour mode--unlike in Forza 3--you don't choose what tracks to drive. The game chooses the circuit, and you pick one of three types of races. You select your car each time you advance to a higher level; you don't have to spend credits to "buy" a car and stay competitive as speed increases. The game has more responsive cars, better feedback through the controller or wheel and more aggressive computer-controlled drivers. It caters to all skill levels with optional driver aids. You can go head-to-head with up to 15 online opponents. This disc belongs in any gamer's library for the multiplayer action alone.